Pipe line metering device with bearing protection mechanism



Oct. 28, 1952 v PIPE LINE METERING DEVICE WITH BEARING PROTECTION MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1948 Motor Inert Gas Source Power Source llll E. T. YOUNG Flll II II .lii iltlll II II 4 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR. Einor T. Young Attorneys Oct. 28, 1952 T. YOUNG 2,615,335

PIPE LINE METERING DEVICE WITH BEARING PROTECTION MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 e we INVENTOR. Einur T. Young y Y Attorneys E. T. YOUNG 5,335

PIPE LINE METERING DEVICE WITH BEARING PROTECTION MECHANISM Oct. 28, 1952 4 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed July 15, 1948 Oct. 28, 1952 E. T. YQUNG 2,615,335

PIPE LINE METERING DEVICE WITH BEARINC PROTECTION MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Einur T. Young Attorneys to meet unusual demands in structure.

Patented Oct. 28, 1952 PIPE LINE METERING DEVICE WITH BEA-R- ING PROTECTION MECHANISM Einar T. Young, Ridley Park, Pa., assignor to Sun Oil Company, Philadelphia, Pa.,' a corporation of New Jersey Application July 15,

- l r This invention relates generally to flowmeters and more particularly to liquid fiow measuring devicesof the rotary impeller type which motivate registering meters on pipe lines or other liquid conductors. I

Itis the principal object of this invention" to disclose a fiowmeter adapted to measure the flow of denseliquids, such as crude oil, which carries quantities of foreign matter very damaging to ordinary measuring devices.

Another object is to disclose a rotary impeller type of fiowmeter in which the measured fluid .is prevented from flooding the mechanism by compressed inert gas being supplied as needed to a reservoir in the meter housing.

1948, Serial No..38 ,9 1 1 l -cl aim. 01. 73-231 Figure 6 is a cross-section of a float switch to control the supply of inert gas,

Figure T7 is an alternative valve and inert. gas

supply.

, The figures ofthe drawing illustrate a preferred embodiment of the fiowmeter for actuating a registering mechanism. The details of thatpart of the apparatus which forms the inventionlare Yetanother object is to disclose a flowmeter with the liquid level in the housing retained by compressed inert gas where the quantity of gas supplied from an outside source is controlled by the height of the liquid in the meter housing.

A further object is to disclose a device of high accuracy and 101'1g wearing qualities adapted to measure the flow of dense liquids by reducingthe frictional resistance in the operation of the movingpparts.

Flowmeters for measuring crude oil have had The foreign matter present in the liquid is often abrasive in character and in a short time destroys the bearings or so weakens them that the accuracy of the meter is impaired. Further, if the heavy, viscous liquid reaches the main bearings of the registering mechanism usually attached to flowmeters of this type, it will cause them to stick together and prevent a correct registering of the flow. The present disclosure shows the seals nearest the liquid flow of the labyrinth type to eliminate the abrasive action yet present an obstruction which, together with the compressed inert gas, will keep the bearings free of the crude oil and in good operating condition. This and other advantages will be evident from the disclosed embodiment of the invention illustrated in the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an elevation of the fiowmeter in cross-section,

Figure 3 is a cross-section on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a cross-section on line 44' of Figure2,

Figure 5 is a cross-section on line 55 of Fig- I ure 2,

completely illustrated while the generally available elements such as the compressor-and motorare shown diagrammatically. Figure'l shows the assembly of the various elements which comprise I the preferred embodiment. The numerical'desiginations of the components arein accord with the subsequent figures'to eliminate confusion. The flowmeter housing it is vertically positioned in the conduit through which the-liquid to be measured flows; connected in the flow by inlet H and outlet'lZ. A volume register '30 is fillu'sL trated as immediately "adjacent the housing ii}, but need not be as later explained. A neat switch chamber M is connected to the flowmeter" H! by conduits 38 and M which transmit liquid and inert gas respectively in balancing the mechanism during operation. Motor '65 intermittently actuates compressor iii to which itis'shaft corinected, when electrical power is transmitted to I the motor by the operation of thefioat switch in housing 40. An inert gas source is connected to compressor 6i where sufficient pressure is formed to force the gas into flowmeter housinglil and float switch housing ill where the level of the measuredliquid is maintained at operating level incontact with the inertgas. V

Figures'Z, 3, i and 5 disclose the mechanism of the flowmeter which is positioned to cooperate with the housing it. The liquid to be measured is conducted to anouter chamber l3, of the housing Iii, which surrounds an inner chamber generally designated as M and then passes out through outlet 12 to continue through the pipe line. reservoir it and aliquid-gas contact-compartment IT." A compartment 15 in free .exchange relation with gas reservoir l5 forms the closure for the top of the inner chamber. A vaned rotor of the impeller type designated as number I8. is concentrically aligned with the housing l0 below a stator ring it which directs the liquid. to be measured in its downward flow through the'outer chamber 13 from inlet II to outlet [2. A shaft 2!] is rigidly attached to the rotor IE-and passes upward, concentric with the housing in, through the liquid-gas contact compartment I1 and the This inner chamber is divided into a gas is gas reservoir Hi to engage a reduction gear train in the upper compartment 15. The reduction gear train, although it may contain other arrangements of gears than those illustrated, is shown here as a gear wheel 2| meshing-with a spline 22 on the upper end of shaft Zil and being rigidly attached to a splined shaft 23 which is supported between bearings 24. The rotary motion of splined shaft 23 is transferred to gear wheel 25 which transmits the rotary motion of splined shaft 23 to shaft 28; slotted upper compartment i5, which encloses the reduction gear train, and the gas reservoir I5 is permitted so that a solid barrier in place of the supporting plate or bracket 3| is not required.

The lower part of shaft 20 above and adjacent to the stator ring [9 passes through a lower labyrinth bafile 32 which is enclosed in a retainer 33 and entirely surrounds shaft 20. Shaft 20 is supported at its lower end by bearing 36 which is mounted in plate 35, the partition between the gas reservoir compartment I6 and the liquid gas contact compartment [1. An upper labyrinth baflie 34 is also mounted on plate 35. The support'35 is constructed as a solid plate to prevent the splashing or surging of the liquid into compartment l6 and flooding bearing 36. This detail is shown in Figure 5. An obturating disk 31 is firmly fastened to shaft 20 immediately below the upper labyrinth baffle 34. A pipe orconduit 38 is let into housing l through a threaded aperture 39 and transmits the liquid bein measured which rises in the liquid-gas contact chamber 11. The conduit 38 connects the liquid-gas contact chamber I! to a liquid float switch generally indicated as 45 in Figures 1 and 6. The upper part of the hOllSll'lg forthe liquid float switch mechanism is connected by conduit M to the gas reservoir l6 through an aperture 42 in housing It]. A conduit 43 connects conduit 4| to a source of compressed inert gas shown and described in discussing Figure 1.

The liquid float switch mechanism generally indicated in Figure 6 comprises a housing 49 which is gas tight and a simple electrical float switch of the mercury type. The float 44 is hinged at a point 45 and has an electrical switch 46 mounted on the float supporting arm 41. An electrical conductor 48 connects the switch 46 with a source of power and a motor for operation of the inert gas compressor, neither of which are shown in this figure but which are illustrated in Figure 1 and hereinbefore discussed. A level gauge glass 49 is shown attached to the float chamber housing 49 for the visual detection of the liquid elevation therein.

Figure '7 shows an alternative device for the :supply of inert gas to the inner chamber l4 of the housing l9 and comprises a source of inert gas as a tank 59 in which the inert gas is maintained at pressure. An operating Valve permits the compressed gas to enter conduit 52, pass through an automatic. pressure reducer-53 and enter the float chamber 40 through a mechani- '4 cally controlled float valve 54. Float 55 is con nected by arm 56 to open and close valve 54 as the position of float 55 is changed by the supporting liquid.

Figure 1, as described above, diagrammatically illustrates the relative positionscfthe components in the preferred embodiment of the invention. This figure, together with Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be used as references in discussing the operation of this flowmeter where the supply of compressed inert gas is furnished through a motor-operated compressor actuated by the float switch as contrasted with the supply being furnished from a compressed gas tank as described above in relation to Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the liquid to be measured enters the outer chamber 13 of housing 10 from inlet II and passes downward toward outlet l2 activating rotor l8 as directed by stator ring IS. The rotary motion is transferred by shaft 20 to the reduction ear train in upper compartment l5 and is reducedby gear wheels 2| and 25 in cooperation with. the splined shaft 23 to activate connectin shaft 26 which, in turn, operates the registering device.

It will be understood that this registering device may take any form which is capable of receiving rotary motion and translating that motion into a measure of volume. A typical commercial register of the dial type is illustrated here but need not be the only device which can be used with this flowmeter.

As the flowmeter operates, the pressure on the liquid flowing through the pipe lineas described above will cause the liquid to creep up shaft 29 and, if not prevented, it will flood the entire mechanism. The specific type of liquid for which this flowmeter is designed includes a heavy viscous material in which foreign bodies such as sand and other abrasives are normally found. If such liquid were to flood the mechanism as suggested it would benecessary to make expensive repairs and possibly replace the flowmeter. To control this, a labyrinth baffle 32 (Figures 2 and 3) is introduced around, but not in contact with, shaft 20 at a point just above the stator ring I9. This acts as a bafile" to retard the upward passage of the liquid being measured and permits sufficient time for the operation ofthe gas supply mechanism to effectively prevent the liquid from reaching the bearings. The pressure pulsations in the liquid in the pipe line are reduced by this bafile and the gas supply is maintained in smooth operation. f

As the liquid levelrises in the liquid-gas contact chamber [1 between shaft 25 and the elements of baffle 32, the elevation of the "liquid is transmitted to float chamber 49 through aperture 39 and conduit 38 (Figures 1, 2 and 6). The pressure of the inert compressed gas which is in the gas reservoir I5 is transferred and balanced in the upper part of float chamber 49'- thereby causing the same conditions to exist in float chamber between the liquid and gas as exists in the inner chamber IA of the flowmeter housing IB. 7

As the liquid rises to a predetermined level in the flow-meter, "the floatswitch is forced upward by float 4 4 and the switch is caused to make contact. The electrical current as supplied from the power source activates compressor 6|, shaft-connected to motor 60, which receives inert gas from a source (not shown) and transmits it under predetermined pressure through conduit 43 and conduit 4| to the gas reservoir chamber 40. l The inert gas under pressure, ad-

mitted to the gas reservoir compartment [6, I

passes downward between the bearing 36 and baffle 34 where they embrace shaft to act repeats automatically as often as is required 1 to the motor-compressor device. This operation thereby insuring the safety and proper operating conditions of the mechanism of the flowmeter. The frequency with which the operation is repeated due to transmitting pressure surges through the liquid is reduced to a minimum by the baflle 32 controlling the admission of the liquid into the lower part of compartment II.

The upper baffle labyrinth 34 (Figure 9) located below support 35 is a further safeguard to the flowmeter mechanism and retards the upward movement of the measured liquid along shaft 20. As noted above, there is a clearance between the subdivisions of the baffle and shaft 20, eliminating any additional friction and permitting the passage of the compressed gas. Its function as a liquid bafileis the same as described for lower bafile labyrinth 32. measured liquid from entering the upper bafile labyrinth easily, the obturating disk 31 is placed immediately below the upper labyrinth 34 and fixed firmly to shaft 20. AS the shaft rotates,

any liquid which has crept up the shaft will meet the obturating disk 31 and be flung outward away from the upper labyrinth 34.

From the above description, the substitution of the tank of compressed inert gas with the mechanically operated float valve, shown in Figure 7, in place of the motor compressor unit and the electrically operating float valve will be readily understood. The mechanism to supply To prevent the The above disclosure details a flowmeter for actuating a registering device wherein the mechanism is protected by an intervening inert gas and the conventional seals ordinarily used for thispurpose are eliminated. The flow of protecting gas .is controlled by the height the liquid rises within the flo wmeter mechanism. The labyrinth baffles, together with the protecting gas, eliminate the objection of high friction and corrosion damage of the bearings attributable to existing flowmeters. By simple mechanical adaptation, this invention may be altered or changed to include either the mechanical or electrical float. control within the liquid-gas contact compartment thereby eliminating a separate float chamber. Such alteration'has been considered by the inventor as a possible working device but is not, illustrated here because it is believed that the preferred embodiment which is shown and discussed is more satisfactory for industrial use permitting a greater flexibility under a wide range of operating conditions and enabling immediate and proper repairs to be undertaken with a minimum of disassembly.

I claim:

A flowmeter comprising a housing partitioned to provide an upper gas compartment containing transmission gearing for an associated flow indicator, an intermediate liquid-gas contact compartment and a lower liquid'compartment containing a rotor operable by the flow of liquid therethrough, means for flowing liquid to and through said lower compartment, a rotatable the inert gas under a predetermined pressure is activated by the height of the liquid in the liquid-gas contact chamber [1 in the same manner as discussed above. The gas under pressure is admitted by the automatic float valve 54 and first passes into the upper part of chamber 40 rather than into conduit 4| as described in the discussion of Figure 6 above. From chamber 40 in Figure 7 it is transferred to gas reservoir compartment I6 to function as already described.

In the metering of crude oil, nitrogen is a very acceptable inert gas as it is relatively cheap and readily available. When this device is used for measuring the flow of other liquids, to which it is well adapted, those liquids might requirethe substitution of a comparatively very inert gas such as helium. For metering water, compressed air would be satisfactory. In order to determine the inert gas required in any specific circumstance it is necessary to study the case and determine if the solution of a small amount of gas in the measured liquid would have any serious effects.

shaft connected to said rotor and passing upwardly through said intermediate and upper compartments for operating connection with said transmission gearing, a shaft seal in the partition between said intermediate and lower compartments permitting restricted flow of liquid therebetween, means for admitting gas from an external pressure source to said upper compartment, and control means responsive to the liquid level in said intermediate compartment for regulating the flow of gas into said upper compartment.

EINAR T. YOUNG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 979,518 Larrabee Dec. 27,1910 1,427,974 Sessions Sept. 5, 1922 1,483,225 Hammett Feb. 12, 1924 1,670,308 Marden May 22, 1928 2,176,294 Cox Oct. 17, 1939 2,291,248 Myers July 28, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,802 Great Britain 1905 

